Vol. 506 No. 3
72 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, he has given to the request of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland for statutory recognition of dementia; if specific responsibility will be allocated to a person in the health boards and his Department for patients with the condition; and if new funding sources will be identified to develop this service. [15595/99]
The condition of dementia is well known to health professionals, health boards and my Department and I am not entirely clear what is meant by affording it statutory recognition. I recently launched a major report entitled An Action Plan on Dementia which was commissioned by the National Council on Ageing and Older People at a conference on planning for dementia care in Ireland on 4 June 1999.
As I stated in my address to the conference, up to now, action for the care of dementia sufferers has been fragmented and there has not been an adequate investment of resources in the community area. I can assure the Deputy that I regard dementia as one of the top priorities for services for older people.
I will endeavour to ensure resources are made available to implement the many recommendations contained in the report and will be pursing the matter in the context of the Estimates for 2000.
